You will see forests getting denser and valleys, on both sides of the train, getting deeper. Let’s see… Alishan, Aowanda, Fuyuan, Guanwu, Hehuanshan, Kenting, Manyueyuan, Neidong, Taipingshan, Wuling, and Zhiben. He was without doubt the most excited person on the tour, and he must have seen the reptiles and insects of this park a thousand times. Trip Type. While I had visited Alishan and Kenting before, I was still very excited when I was invited to go on this trip arranged by the Forestry Bureau in late October. But before heading to the sea to tackle the white-capped water stirred up by strong winds, we first filed into a much more peaceful location. The Alishan area is well-known both for its scenery and tea making, and the high mountain tea grown there represents Taiwan around the world. But it’s a whole lot of fun. 35 teahouse, a great place to have a simple breakfast, which includes excellent high-mountain tea (Oolung and black tea) produced in the Alishan region. 1) hugs the coast and the further south you get, the stronger the tropical vibe becomes. Since our main aim of visiting Kenting was experiencing its natural environment we turned away from the waves and headed to the tropical forest. If you look for a hotel in Kaohsiung that is conveniently located, make it the City Suites! Cultivation of Taiwan’s celebrated High Mountain Oolong Tea began around the spread-out village of Shizhuo (1300m~1500m), on Provincial Highway 18, Alishan’s main access road. Each room features a flat TV, free WiFi, and tea making gear. The friendliness of the people is humbling. Group size. US$150. The restaurant, MX Café, was opened not long after Shizilu had become a working station once again and tourists started to arrive by train. No … Since the train is parked at Shizilu waiting for the trip back down to Chiayi City in the afternoon, this stop is also the perfect location for taking pictures of the bright-red locomotive and orange-yellow carriages. Its about 45 minutes journey down and I stop right in front the Hi Life … High altitude brings a cold climate and large temperature differences between the day and night. One is known for high mountains with coniferous forests, bamboo groves, tea plantations, indigenous villages, and a narrow-gauge alpine railway line, the other is the island’s most popular tropical beach resort location with fine-sand beaches, coral reefs, and plenty of outdoor fun. After returning to Chiayi City we visited the area around Beimen Station, the second stop on the Alishan Forest Railway Line. 0 reviews. 1 - 1 Pax ), ( We got off the train at Shizilu and did not have to walk far to get to the restaurant (right by the railway tracks where the train stops) where we would enjoy the first meal of this trip. But no, there it was, feeding peacefully, not far from the boardwalk, oblivious of the people snapping pictures. Alishan B&B YunMinGi is conveniently located by a 5-minute drive from Shizhuo Bus Station, a 10-minute drive from Fenqi Lake. A big Thanks to the Forestry Bureau for making this trip possible. This slower growth results in a deep flavor that is prized by many oolong enthusiasts.. Besides its … Alishan and Fenqihu Day Tour from Chiayi. First we did a nighttime eco-excursion tour in Sheding Nature Park, led by local guide, Mr. Wu Fu-sheng. Kayaking at Fulong on the Northeast Coasteval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'taiwaneverything_cc-leader-2','ezslot_2',126,'0','0'])); If you are looking for a good-quality beach-side resort hotel in Taiwan, look no further than the Chateau Beach Resort in Kenting. Explore this mountain park full of bamboo forests, glittering waterfalls, hiking trails and high altitude tea plantations. More articles about ChiayiThings to Do in CHIAYI COUNTYMEISHAN Township in CHIAYI CountyOld Neighborhoods in CHIAYI. Private tours in Taiwan by friendly local guides, Email: Contact UsSMS & WhatsApp: +886-905-023-386Phone: +886-905-023-386, ( This trip has once again shown me why Taiwan is such a fascinating place to visit. Next, we headed south. Adult Alishan, itself has become one of the major landmarks associated with Taiwan. For obvious reasons, it is much quieter this year without foreign and mainland China tourists who used to come in large numbers to this top Taiwan tourist destination. Weather permitting you’ll even be able to see a gorgeous sunset from your guestroom (provided you stay on one of the upper floors in a room that faces the harbor). There is no aircon in our room but a fan is available. I was amazed at seeing how saltwater turned into pure salt after constant frying in a large wok over a wood fire. Alishan tea is a high mountain oolong tea grown in the central mountains of Taiwan. Signing a waiver, in case something bad would happen, was still required, though…. 18) through the Alishan National Scenic Area. You will learn a lot about salt and tofu in a 3-hour session offered at An Jia Chun (prior group reservation required). The sunrise did not disappoint either, pictures were taken, everyone was excited. (A big thanks to the tour organizers for not only putting together a rich itinerary with one interesting place to visit after another, but also for taking us to some fine restaurants that collectively presented a rich range of culinary options available in Taiwan.). A bit further uphill you will see the Alishan Railway Station from where you can take trains that operate within the forest recreation area. We did this a few times, trying to catch bigger waves each time. There are many fascinating facts and stories about this amazing engineering feat of a railway line. That’s 11 out of 18. Ride the iconic Forest Railway, walk through trails, and sip the region's world famous oolong tea. Hidden behind a thick wall of coastal forest along the highway is the An Jia Chun Eco Leisure Village, a small compound of old houses and an open workshop area where you can learn about the process of making salt from seawater, and making tofu with bittern. Both offer an amazing richness of ecological resources, unique flora and fauna, well maintained trails, bilingual signage and information boards, and scenic attractions galore. During a mid-summer afternoon downpour in Fenqihu we entered a tea-shop to try the famous Oolong tea (wūlóng chá, 烏龍茶) grown in this area. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. This experience requires good weather. During sakura season (March~April) you can enjoy the mesmerizing splendor of pink petals right outside the hotel.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'taiwaneverything_cc-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_0',121,'0','0'])); After leaving our luggage at Alishan House, we went on a guided tour of the main parts of the recreation area. 1-Day Private Tour of Alishan National Forest Itinerary Taiwan’s premier mountain resort is more than 2,000 m above sea level and offers much more than striking views of the Central Mountain Range. What I did not expect was encountering amazing wildlife, hanging from a giant tree, and visiting a “fairy cave.” I also wasn’t prepared for the warm reception and the passionate sharing of information by the local guides we met in the forest recreation areas. if you have breakfast on the terrace of the teahouse, be aware of the white-whiskered laughingthrushes trying to get close to your table. Thanks to our friendly and knowledgeable guide, Ms. Liu Shu-min, who accompanied us during the train ride, we learned a lot about the history of the railway and the area the train traverses. After meeting up with the other tour participants and the tour leaders we took the bus to Chiayi Railway Station. $245.00 I also soon realized that the water in the bay is in fact very shallow, which allowed us to simply and safely walk through the water to the nearest rocks where we boarded the kayak again. From there, you have to take a bus further uphill to reach the national forest recreation area. Luckily, the Taiwan High Speed Rail bullet trains take you down to south Taiwan in no time (I took the 6:30am train and arrived at 7:40). The ways to have outdoor fun are endless. I have never seen a veteran naturalist getting more excited than Mr. Wu when spotting wildlife. It is located slightly after the 61 km mark beside Alishan road. It is a Minsu with basic room. Next up was the sea kayaking. Unforgettable tour of Sun Moon Lake and Alishan The tour was one of our best family vacations. Hinoki Village, not far from the station, is a cluster of dark-brown Japanese-era wood buildings housing gift shops and eateries. Tea Plantations. /Person, Youth Sea salt production has a long tradition in Houwan; in the past the local residents used to take advantage of the coral reef rocks along the coast to collect salty sea water. Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County 604, Taiwan (R.O.C.) Check out Rick Charette’s file, The ALISHAN and KENTING National Forest Recreation Areas, for his take on the trip’s myriad different sights and experiences. A big thank you to the patient instructors led by Tsai Kuo-chung and Ye Ling-wei. Not able to turn fast enough, one big breaker hit the side of our kayak, turning it upside down. 1 day / 9 hr. And that concluded our fun-filled 4-day trip to the Alishan and Kenting national forest recreation areas in southern Taiwan. … Fill your getaway with tea picking, tea-factory DIY tours, marked-trail hikes through plantations, and teahouse/café sessions. Surprisingly, though, it was quite easy to paddle towards the center of the bay and then further on to a tiny beach close to the aforementioned marine biology museum. The project of restoring the railway in its entirety has been a difficult one, but step by step, the line has been revived. 7 pax Reviews. We travelled by the tour bus passing through mountain ranges and valleys with… July 14, 2019 August 11, 2019 keryn Blog, Taiwan travel. … She has also been heavily involved in activities to protect the local natural environment. I was eagerly looking forward to take, for the first time, the Alishan Forest Railway, which transports travelers from low-altitude Chiayi City to the high-altitude Alishan area. One day you watch the sunrise and sip tea in the temperate zone forest of the high mountains, the next you are capsizing a kayak off the coast of the island’s tropical south and are rewarded with a big delicious hamburger afterwards. Alishan | LEARN MORE | Kenting - Southern Splendor . 2 (KW2) shopping and dining complex from where you can take the ferry to Qijin Island. In the morning, after having had your breakfast in your hotel, your local guide will meet you and you will be driven to Alishan Mountain, where you will visit the Alishan Tea Plantation. customizable. Hengchun Old Town / Nature Fire / Guanshan / Shadao / Chuanfanshih ..., and more. After the line was severely damaged during typhoon Morakot in 2009 it was temporarily shut down, save for the trains running inside the forest recreation area. Sea kayaking requires quite a bit of energy, so we couldn’t wait to munch down the delicious hamburgers already prepared for us when returning to the kayaking base. As we reach Alishan, we will take the Alishan Mountain narrow gauge railway ride. Not bad, and hopefully I will have the chance to visit the remaining seven as well some day, because I really, really love going to the forest! Long Yun Leisure Farm, a gorgeously situated hotel with rooms overlooking tea … Never seen a bat that close in my whole life! Please let us know in advance. The beach, exclusively used by the hotel, is spotless clean with life guards keeping an eye on beach goers; there are facilities and equipment provided by the hotel, a large pool area for those times when swimming in the ocean is not possible, and a wide range of indoor facilities to keep you busy during your stay. /Person. Kenting is best known for its beaches and its large number of restaurants, hotels, and shops catering to the sun and water fun seeking crowds, but there is much more in store for visitors with a wider set of interests. I knew before the trip that it would be a great one, but I didn’t expect it to be that great. At the end of 2012, trains started to roll again between Chiayi and Zhuqi; in early 2014, the stretch from Zhuqi all the way up to Fenqihu was reopened; and in July of 2017 two more stations were put back into business, the last being Shizilu. While this was mostly fun, we also learned that tree-climbing is an important part of inspecting trees, which in turn is an important part of conserving and preserving the natural treasures of this and other nature parks around Taiwan. There, we received more instructions, this time standing in the pleasantly warm water. $245.00 Experience tea picking and tea making in the plantations. (Learn more about all these areas here.). Amidst the cultural diversity of Taiwan, Alishan, home to the Tsou speaking cultural tribe, are oolong tea plantations that poses an impressive view, nestled in the mountains. Btw. One is known for high mountains with coniferous forests, bamboo groves, tea plantations, indigenous villages, and a narrow-gauge alpine railway line, the other is the island’s most popular tropical beach resort location with fine-sand beaches, coral reefs, and plenty of outdoor fun. Experience tea picking and tea making in the plantations. The main highway (No. “Let’s see the mikado pheasant!” This type of bird being notoriously elusive, I was doubtful of the chance to see one, especially considering the many tourists gathering here at this time of the day. Super sinful delicious! Travelers can choose their pick up location within Chiayi City. Vision Creative Marketing & Media Co. For the second night we stayed at a hotel with a superb location. In summer of 2018, I went to Shizhuo and Alishan as a part of my round-Taiwan trip with my two kids. Unfortunately the train only stops very briefly at each station, and there is usually no time to go outside and take photos. One of the best times to visit is also during the harvest period which occurs just twice in Alishan, often in October and June, when workers take to the fields to collect the leaves. Jade (Yushan), Taiwan’s highest mountain. Really? There would still be a number of “firsts” for me, some highly anticipated, others rather unsuspected. From $ 175.00. A tour for serious tea connoisseurs, this tour will leave an impression on all visitors … While I love the forests and nature, I have to admit that those were perhaps the most exciting moments of the whole trip. Knowing next to nothing about knots it took me a while to figure out what to do. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Vision Creative Marketing & Media Co. with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Fill your getaway with tea picking, tea-factory DIY tours, marked-trail hikes through plantations, and teahouse/café sessions. Alishan National Scenic Area, Central Taiwan, Featured, Kenting National Park, South Taiwan, North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area, Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area, The ALISHAN and KENTING National Forest Recreation Areas, coffee made with beans sourced in the Alishan area, Southern ALISHAN — Shanmei, Xinmei, and Chashan, National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, stay overnight in the museum, sleeping right by the aquarium, Kayaking at Fulong on the Northeast Coast. After receiving the mandatory instructions on land, we moved to a small dike-protected area of Houwan Bay where it was safe to launch our two-seater kayaks. From the bus, while approaching Houwan, we had already noticed the strong winds sweeping across the waters of the Taiwan Strait, whipping up the waves, and we started wondering whether going out on a kayak was even possible on this day. Alishan and Kenting are two of the top-tourist draws in Taiwan. Southwest of Checheng town we arrived at the tiny fishing village of Houwan, sitting at the southern end of a crescent-shaped bay. One of the volunteer guides accompanying us explained to me how the coral rocks actually help the trees by protecting them from the strong winds that often sweep the Hengchun Peninsula. My Taiwan Tour 4,577 views. In charge of the tofu making operation is Sister Heimao (Black Cat), a retired dance teacher who is now dedicated to the preservation of local traditions, including making sea salt and tofu the old-fashioned way. $350.00 Arriving at the kayaking operation of the Houwan Community, we were assured by the instructor that there was nothing to worry about. Approached by a road that passes through prime tea-growing country, Alishan is a place where visitors can truly immerse themselves in nature. The yummy food is prepared inside a converted bus, named Me Time. The agency’s self-stated mission is to protect the forest ecosystem and conserve natural resources in order to build a safe, ecological, high-quality homeland. What amazed me the most was how large trees (strangler figs) are able to grow on top of huge coral rocks, their long roots finding ways around the rocks to reach the ground. Alishan House is a hotel with a long history and a superb location, smack in the center of the forest recreation area. Alishan tea: visiting Taiwan’s most beautiful plantations. Thanks to all the guides who patiently introduced to us the many places we visited on this trip! Palm trees, sandy and rocky beaches, and a vibrant turquoise sea is what you’ll see to your right while making your way south along the west side of the peninsula. There, I spotted quite a few interestingly looking birds frolicking in the trees. 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